Family News

  One of the great joys of belonging to SPPC is that you get an extended family in the congregation.  Like all families, we celebrate the big moments and the small moments in our communal lives. Here's a sampling.


   On Sunday, Feb. 16, we celebrated a couple of birthdays, Felicity and Jerusha.

    ed. note:  I think people would attend SPPC for the preaching and the singing and the fellowship, but if that isn't enough, you'd think they'd come for the cake!

  One of our younger members, Max, rowed an exceptional race in foul weather.  A 6.5 km warm-up and then a 6.5 km race!   They won by .5 seconds.  Talk about a push to the finish line.  Congratulations, Max.  To help him celebrate, Rebekah made a beautiful cake.

   On Wednesday, at the height of Olympic fever with Canada's hockey team, women's figure skating and men's semi-final curling, all on the ice and on television, we had a full turn out for Bible Study. Talk about an upset!   At SPPC we'd rather study the Book of Revelation than watch Canada play a crucial hockey game.  

    On Sunday, Feb. 23, we had a snow day!   But the choir turned out in full.

We also had a guest preacher in the pulpit.
Rev. Laura Hargrove from Port Alberni exchanged pulpits with Rev. Irwin for the day.  We suggested she brought the snow with her.  

  And there you have it, some of the family news for the past seven days.  Congratulations to all the celebrants.  Blessings on all the workers.  Three cheers to all who make our congregation a place of welcome and learning and sharing.  Come join the family.

Olympic Faith

   

 The world is half way through the Winter Olympic Games, our quadrennial affair with sports madness . Who knew there were so many ways to slide down a snowy hill? Slope-style skiing? Death wish, more like. And who ever dreamed up luge doubles? That piece of tinfoil isn't big enough for one person let alone two!  But here we are, glued to our televisions, or smart phones or computers, holding our breath at critical moments then cheering wildly when our team scores.  
      We  become instant experts on the run-back double, or a quad toe, or a 1080.  (I had to do the math to figure that one out.  In figure skating it's called a triple.)  
     Go into any coffee shop or grocery store and you'll hear conversations about what's happening in Sochi.  Who's where in the medal standings?  Who'll make the gold medal game in hockey?  We're obsessed with 100ths of a second nine time zones away.
    And good for us!  The Olympics give us a great lesson in empathy. We give our hearts to the athletes that represent our country.    We ache when they fall, we're ecstatic when they win.  We're all on the same team, or as a very clever advertiser puts it, "we all play for Canada."
     Since sport is such a powerful motivator, it's hardly surprising

the apostle Paul used it so frequently as a metaphor for Christian living.  In 1 Corinthians 9:24  we are urged to run the race so we may obtain the prize.  Hebrews 12:1 exhorts us to run the race that is set before us. 1 Corinthians 9:25 speaks of training for the games.  2 Timothy 2:5 we compete as an athlete to win the crown. Philippians 3:12-14 the faithful "press on toward the goal."

    We've already seen fine examples of the Olympic spirit, when one speed skater gave up his place to a team mate, or when an opposing coach supplied a fresh ski to a struggling competitor.  Such generosity of spirit embodies the Christian ideal as well.
    If the motto of the Olympics is "faster -- higher -- stronger," perhaps the Christian motto could be "braver -- purer-- kinder." Like the athlete trains his mind and body for his sport, the Christian trains his heart and mind and spirit for service to God and others.

    Go, Canada, Go!   Go, Christian, Go!
     

SPPC Library News

       

  Librarian:  Linda Cliff

Over the past year the library has undergone some changes and there are more to come.  The first change was a large influx of books.  These books were donated by Lloyd Warkentin and have been placed on the shelves.   To make room for these new titles many out of date books, videos and CD’s were removed from circulation and sold in our annual Garage Sale.   
When you visit the library you will find that the books have been divided into the following categories:
 Bible Study and Commentary
 Reference
 Christian Living with sub sections on Women, Grief and Recovery, Prayer, Devotionals
 Christian Education
 Biography 
 Fiction 
 Children and youth
 Audio/ video
If you are interested in borrowing a book, please sign it out in the book provided, remembering to include your phone number. The usual borrowing period is one month.    Once you have read the book, consider writing a short report on what you have read and why you would recommend the book to other members of the congregation.  The hope is to make the library an integral part of our church life and these reports may be used to showcase books in either the library or the Blog.  
Look for new signs created for the library by Felicity Smith and for featured titles that will pique your interest in checking out our library.  As with all endeavours within the congregation your help would be appreciated:  read a book, write a report, and volunteer to help out.  

WINTER BLAHS

   Went to my favourite eatery the other day and discovered it nearly empty.  The menu hadn't changed, the chef hadn't changed and the wait staff hadn't changed.  Usually we have to stand in line for a table at this place.  "Where is everyone?" I asked.  "Gone to the sun," came the answer.
     Even though our weather is balmy compared to the rest of Canada, and despite the water board's grumbling about low levels in the reservoir, we must admit that Victoria can get a bit dreary in the wintertime.  Grey skies, a week of all encompassing fog, rain in torrents or rain in drizzle, it's still rain.  A perfect formula for the winter blahs.
   

 So, it's a good time to change things up a bit.  We did that last Sunday in church with a guest trumpeter to add a bright tone to the music.  We like our organ, but there's nothing like a bit of brass to make it shine.  Thanks to John for sharing his talent with us.
      Greeters at the door and ushers taking up collection weren't the usual suspects either.  Members of the Sunday school handed out bulletins, welcomed visitors and took up the collection.  Nice to see them starting young.  I went to a funeral this week of a man who had served as head usher in his church for sixty-five years.   He was the face of welcome in that congregation, knew everyone by name, knew who needed a large print bulletin, who needed a hearing assist, and who needed help to stand.  Maybe one of our youthful ushers from last Sunday will follow the example of my friend.

     We also heard from Max and Felicity on their trip to Vancouver to explore opportunities for mission.  They returned home fired with zeal and a long list of possibilities. Stay tuned to this blog for more on that.
    
   If you've got the winter blahs but a trip to a sunny clime is not in the cards, try going to church.  Whatever the weather, the Son shines here.

AS OTHERS SEE US

      An old friend passed away last week.  I wasn't surprised.  She was elderly when I met her and a bit frail.  With her obituary in front of me I did the math.  Ack!  
    When we first met my friend was younger than I am now.  Elderly?  Not how I see myself!

   Also last week, I was away on holiday so attended a different church.  After all these years (see above)  I'm something of a "professional" church-goer.  When I worship with another congregation I'm alert to what they do well, what they do differently from us, what works for me as a guest to the congregation, what my congregation could learn from them.
     In this case I received a warm welcome, was handed a bulletin that laid out the service in detail.  I enjoyed the preaching and the choir.  People talked to us in the coffee hour after service.  This congregation scored high on my check list. 
     But not all was rosy.  They are running a deficit.  There is angst among the members over the refurbishing of the sanctuary. Changes to a long time social event have ruffled some feathers.
   I got a glimpse of this congregation, the obvious, external marks of their fellowship.  I wonder if what I saw is how they see themselves.

   Back at SPPC I went to Bible Study, chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation, seven letters to seven churches.  Each of these congregations has a vision of itself -- poor or powerful, faithful or persecuted, lively or suffering.  But these self-definitions are incomplete. Christ sees beneath the facade.  He commends them for hard work, for faithfulness, for perseverance and for patience. He also condemns where complacency or immorality or heresy have crept in.  
     In calling these seven churches to account, Christ gives us the marks of an ideal church:
 Love for Christ
 Suffering for Christ
 Committed to Truth
 Holiness
 Sincerity
 Dedicate to Mission
 Wholehearted

   As individuals or as congregations, our self-image does not tell the whole story.  The exterior we show to the world is incomplete.  But Christ knows our secrets, sees into our hearts and will hold us to account.  As Paul reminds us in Romans 3: 23  "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."  Yet by grace, through Jesus Christ, we are redeemed.  Thanks be to God.




    

REVELATION

 

 Who'd have thought studying the Book of Revelation could result in so much excitement?  Not me, and certainly not the other twenty-odd people who gathered in the Ross Lounge on Wednesday morning.  In fact, before the study began, there was a downright nervousness in the room.  After all, we were about to tackle "that book."  The one with all the scary images.  The one filled with fire and brimstone.  The one that foretold the end of the world.  Who wouldn't be nervous.

     Yet, when we actually read chapter one, with Rev. Irwin's guidance, we felt hopeful, excited, victorious, upbeat, powerful. 
      Imagine John, living in a time of extreme persecution of Christians, exiled on the island of Patmos, where Christians were sent as slaves to work in the copper mines.  Then realize that this old man, in such circumstances writes 
"Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the first-born from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.  To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father -- to him be glory and power forever and ever! Amen."   
     Talk about a cry of defiance against an oppressive regime.  Christ is the ruler of kings!  Christ has conquered death!  Christ has made His followers a kingdom, a royal priesthood!  How could we, in the comfortable lounge of SPPC, remain downhearted in the face of such a message.  We couldn't.  The room buzzed with excitement.  Irwin couldn't write fast enough to keep up with the words and ideas that poured out.

     This is Bible Study on Wednesday mornings at SPPC.  You should try it.  You'll like it.

Standing at the Portal

Some of the loveliest music in our "Book of Praise" is seldom sung.  Advent hymns and Christmas carols outnumber the Sundays we have to sing them.  But New Year's hymns really get short shrift.   One of my favourites, "All Beautiful the March of Days" isn't in our hymn book, but the poetry evokes a wonderful vision of winter, a time of silence and waiting and beauty.

All beautiful the march of days, as seasons come and go;
The Hand that shaped the rose hath wrought the crystal of the snow;

Hath sent the hoary frost of Heav’n, the flowing waters sealed,
And laid a silent loveliness on hill and wood and field.

 What we do have is the hymn we sang last Sunday, the first Sunday of the new year, "Standing at the Portal."

Here is what Dr. Kirk had to say on this particular hymn.

    

December 31
Scripture reading:  Joshua 1. 1 - 9

We have come full circle now.  The year draws swiftly to its close and we wonder what the future holds for us.  Most people are fearful as they face the unknown, but Christians have the assurance that they do not have to face the mystery of what lies ahead alone.  There is One who stands alongside us, whispering "words of comfort . . hushing every fear".  Our heavenly Father's words make us rejoice for they are "tender, strong and faithful".

How wonderful it is to have the assurance of one who always keeps his promise.  "His eternal covenant he will never break".  When Joshua was appointed to lead the children of Israel into the promised land following the death of Moses, he must have wondered whether he was capable of doing the job.  Moses is one of the towering figures of world history.  Single-handedly (humanly speaking) he had freed the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt, led them through harrowing experiences over many years during their wanderings in the wilderness, given them a law and promised a land - and now he was dead and his mantle had fallen to Joshua.  In the midst of his fears the God of Moses spoke to the new commander of his people, assuring Joshua of his continued presence.  "Be thou not dismayed; I will uphold thee with my right hand".  The new leader was reminded that he was "called and chosen" and consequently there was no reason to fear the unknown.

And so it is with each Christian person.  We too have a special status.  "You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people" (1 Pet. 2:9) - "for the year before us, O what rich supplies!"  Whatever circumstance we may find ourselves in, whether we are "poor and needy . . sad and sinful . . faint and feeble", the resources we need will be provided.  There will be streams of refreshing water.  God's grace will abound to us and his strength will be made perfect in our weakness (2 Cor. 12. 9).

It is the experience of God's people throughout human history "that he will never fail us".  God is not capricious as we are; he remains true to his word and his nature and "he will not forsake (us)".  How blessed we are when we have human friends on whom we can rely unreservedly.  Take that trust and multiply it to the nth degree and we have still not exhausted the reliability of our God.  He has made precious promises to us and if we will fulfil the conditions he will carry them through, so "what have we to fear?"  Whatever our needs may be in the coming year, our "God is all-sufficient" and will provide for us as surely as he has done in this year, which has now come to a close.  We go forward into the unknown with the promise the apostle Paul proved so often in his own experience, "My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4. 19).

My thanks to Edna for sharing Dr. Kirk's writings with this blog.